Two outstanding law students from the University of Fort Hare (UFH), Christiaan Buthelezi and Babalwa Mofokeng, are preparing to take their legal skills to the highest stage; the Constitutional Court, as they compete in the final rounds of the Public Interest Law Moot Court competition.
After successfully advancing through several tough national rounds, Buthelezi and Mofokeng secured a spot in the top four. They will compete against teams from the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, and Unisa.
The competition is well-known for its high-level legal challenges and realistic courtroom experiences, giving students the chance to argue cases before actual Constitutional Court judges.
This achievement adds to an already impressive track record for the duo. Both students are in their third year of LLB studies and have recently represented UFH at the prestigious Price Media Law Moot Court competition and reached the global rounds held at Oxford University in London.
Reflecting on the opportunity to argue at the Constitutional Court, Buthelezi shared the initial emotions he felt when he first heard the news.
“I was incredibly happy and overwhelmed. It felt like all the hard work and sleepless nights were finally paying off. More than anything, I felt honoured, this is such a rare and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I prayed a lot for both physically and mentally strength. I then also substituted prayer with working hard,” he said.
Buthelezi’s journey to this point has not been easy. His determination to make a name ofr himself and boost his portfolio in order to stand a better chance for selection is what has kept him going in spite of the challenges.
“One of the toughest moments was when my laptop broke down just a week before the submission deadline, and I lost all the draft work I had done.
“Another setback was being disqualified from one of the four rounds in the top 16 because I was late due to network connectivity issues,” Buthelezi said.
Mofokeng described the experience as a major milestone and is excited for what this opportunity means for her future.
“Representing the University of Fort Hare at the Constitutional Court is a tremendous honour and privilege. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity, which has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. After completing my LLB, I aim to further my expertise in legal practice potentially pursuing a career in international human rights law or working with organizations dedicated to promoting justice and equality,” Mofokeng said.
She added that the journey leading up to the semifinals has been one of rigorous preparation.
“The preparation process has been intense and demanding, requiring meticulous research, drafting, and countless hours of preparation. From crafting compelling heads of argument to refining our supplementary submissions, every stage presented its own unique challenges.
“However, through perseverance, teamwork, and dedication, we overcame obstacles and made it to this prestigious level,” she said.
The entire Fort Hare community is cheering them on as they prepare to present their arguments before SA’s top judges.
